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Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Science Media Centre NZ - Latest News [Page 2]
Obesity Linked To Severe Infection Risk – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 10 February 2026, 1:40 pm | Science Media Centre
Based on global data, the paper estimates that roughly 10% of infection-related deaths worldwide could be linked with obesity, and that this increased to 15% during the COVID pandemic. More >>
Moa Point Wastewater Plant Shuts Down – Expert Reaction
Monday, 9 February 2026, 7:45 pm | Science Media Centre
It could be months before the plant is fully repaired, and before people can go swimming at south coast beaches. More >>
NZ’s Critical Minerals On The World Stage – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 5 February 2026, 5:07 pm | Science Media Centre
The NZ government released a new critical minerals list and strategy last year, which included a goal to double mineral exports by 2035. More >>
Transgender And Cisgender Women Have Similar Physical Fitness – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 5 February 2026, 5:00 pm | Science Media Centre
The systematic review and analysis by overseas scientists in British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at data on body composition – fat and muscle mass – and physical fitness of trans and cisgender people. More >>
Shifting Power Use To Off-Peak Hours Could Save NZ $3 Billion - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 27 January 2026, 1:41 pm | Science Media Centre
“Strategies like ‘demand-side flexibility’, as proposed in this report, have been widely touted as ways to increase value for electricity retailers and industrial customers in Aotearoa New Zealand for a couple of decades now." More >>
Parts Of North Island Hit By Record-Breaking Rains – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 22 January 2026, 6:04 pm | Science Media Centre
Whitianga and Tauranga experienced their wettest days on record yesterday, with 247.6 mm and 274 mm of rain, respectively. More >>
Crayfish Catch Ban Floated To Protect Kelp Forests – Expert Reaction
Friday, 19 December 2025, 2:45 pm | Science Media Centre
Rock lobsters (better known as kōura and crayfish) are a natural predator of sea urchins, which can overgraze the kelp, leading to barren rocky reefs. More >>
Glyphosate Safety Paper Retracted After 25 Years – Expert Reaction
Friday, 12 December 2025, 11:51 am | Science Media Centre
A New Zealand-based scientist formally requested the retraction. The Science Media Centre asked him to comment, alongside pesticide experts who comment on the overall state of the evidence. More >>
Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban Takes Effect – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 5:35 pm | Science Media Centre
The European Parliament passed a similar resolution last month, and in New Zealand a private members bill was put into the biscuit tin in May. The SMC asked NZ experts in law, youth mental health, and tech to comment. More >>
RMA Out: Fewer Plans, Fewer Consents – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 5:30 pm | Science Media Centre
Individuals will have fewer opportunities for input on individual consents, while councils will have a lower threshold for compensating landowners facing “significant” impact from planning controls, like heritage sites or significant natural areas. More >>
40-Year Water Fluoridation Study Finds No Negative Effect On Brain Development – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 20 November 2025, 12:06 pm | Science Media Centre
Researchers looked at language and maths test results from tens of thousands of US high schoolers in 1980, and the water fluoride levels they were exposed to since conception. More >>
Speaking More Than One Language Could Protect Against Aging – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 12:41 pm | Science Media Centre
The authors say that learning more than one language could help countries dealing with ageing populations. The Science Media Centre asked third-party NZ experts for local context on the findings. More >>
Tongariro’s Unique Ecosystem Up In Flames – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 12:15 pm | Science Media Centre
A massive 3,000-hectare blaze in Tongariro National Park has disrupted native wildlife and habitats. The SMC asked experts to comment. More >>
NZ’s Climate Law To Change – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 7:12 pm | Science Media Centre
It sends a clear signal that this government is not serious about domestic emissions reductions, says Professor James Renwick, Professor of Physical Geography, Victoria University – Te Herenga Waka, More >>
What You Should Know Ahead Of Measles Immunisation Week – Expert Reaction
Friday, 31 October 2025, 5:24 pm | Science Media Centre
Immunisation coverage of 95% is needed to prevent measles spread, but estimated rates in Aotearoa are much lower, and childhood vaccination rates have dropped in recent years. More >>
New Science Curriculum – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 30 October 2025, 3:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The science curriculum rewrite has been long awaited after being put on hold at the 2023 election and paused again in 2024. This draft is open for six months’ consultation, and is due to be introduced to schools in 2027. More >>
COP30 To Focus On Limiting Warming, Climate Finance – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 2:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Key issues for COP30 include limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, climate finance commitments, and the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. More >>
Biggest Beech Mast In Seven Years – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 October 2025, 1:45 pm | Science Media Centre
Aerial 1080 predator control operations will be focussed in two rounds – later this year before seed falls in autumn and from late 2026, once seed has been eaten or germinated. More >>
Wildfires Amid Extreme Winds – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 5:40 pm | Science Media Centre
Metservice has issued a red warning for strong winds for Thursday for the regions of Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairarapa south of Carterton. More >>
First-Ever Research Conference Led By AI – Expert Reaction
Monday, 20 October 2025, 3:56 pm | Science Media Centre
“This is an interesting experiment, where different large language models (LLMs) have been used as part of the research process, including in both research and review”, Dr Andrew Lensen comments. More >>
